SALTASH claimed their third trophy of the season by beating Helston 43-33 in the Cornwall Clubs’ Cup final at Hayle on Sunday evening.

The Ashes, who had already won the Counties Two Cornwall title and the Plymouth Combination Lockie Cup, were able to show their strength in depth at the weekend in a tough battle, with forwards Rob Walsh, Liall Honey, Ryan Rayner and Tom Rixson missing.

Helston got off to a flying start with a try after only two minutes on the right wing which was converted.

But the Ashes quickly responded with a Greg Eatwell try eight minutes later following some good handling which Jack Pritchard converted.

James Sutton, playing his 50th game for Saltash, then touched down after a cross-field movement to edge them 12-7 ahead.

Three minutes later, Phil Eatwell who had a controlling influence in the line-outs, got another try for the Ashes after 19 minutes which was converted to increase their lead.

However, Helston soon hit back after a break with a try close to the posts with the conversion being added to close the gap to five points.

Saltash were trying to find their form against a determined Helston and the game was evenly balanced until Danny Snook found a way through to score on the half hour for Pritchard to again add the extra points.

Helston came back strongly and five minutes before the interval got another converted try on the left wing.

Within four minutes of coming on as a second half replacement. Devon Bennett-Murray charged over the Helston line, with Pritchard kicking the extra two points.

The Ashes were now gaining in confidence and a chip ahead saw Snook follow up to extend the lead to 40-21 with a converted try.

Helston gamely fought back again putting pressure on the Ashes defence and deservedly scored a converted try after 61 minutes.

Both sides were covering well but a Pritchard penalty 10 minutes before the end put the Ashes three scores ahead. However, this did not stop Helston from getting a try at the very end of a well contested final.

The whole Ashes squad played well in the last game of a successful campaign with Lewis Wells and centres Greg Eatwell and Snook leading by example.

Seth Jones came on at the end for his debut and to play alongside his brother Fin Jones and Pritchard at scrum-half had a good game as well as kicking five conversions and a penalty.